News article
World Athletics encourages movement to mark Olympic Day
After more than 300,000 children participated in Kids’ Athletics Day last month, World Athletics is now joining the International Olympic Committee to encourage everyone to get active for Olympic Day (23).
This year’s Olympic Day theme of ‘Let’s Move’, which aims to inspire people around the world to make time for daily physical activity, chimes perfectly with World Athletics’ long-term strategy to use our sport to create a healthier and fitter world.
As announced in April, World Athletics invited children across the world to MOVE, PLAY, EXPLORE in celebration of Kids’ Athletics Day 2023.
An annual occasion that takes place on 7 May, Kids’ Athletics Day is a global day entirely dedicated to celebrating children and young people being active by participating in athletics.
In total, 106 Member Federations from across all continental areas participated in Kids’ Athletics Day 2023, with more than 300,000 children getting involved. Activities included ‘Olympic Kids’ Day’ as part of the Rimi Riga Marathon in Latvia, host of the World Athletics Road Running Championships this year, and a kids’ programme in Atlanta, USA, where elite sprinters Noah and Josephus Lyles met with children and spoke to them about the importance of playing and being active for kids’ development and wellbeing.
Those benefits do not only apply to children, of course, and this year’s Olympic Day promotes a new global movement for everyone to make time to move.
As part of the campaign, Olympic athletes – including multiple global gold sprint medallist Allyson Felix – are hosting a fun and inclusive 30-minute workout across the International Olympic Committee’s channels.
Use the hashtags #LetsMove #OlympicDay and tag @WorldAthletics to share your Olympic Day plans.
And to get kids moving all year round, join the Kids’ Athletics programme – a free and exciting programme that uses the power of athletics to inspire children and young people, wherever they are, to be more active, develop their skills and confidence, and to connect with sport for life.
Read moreWorld Athletics